How to resolve AdBlock issue? Local volleyball teams start playoff runs
Photo by Tom Moore
Nordhoff’s Ashley Johnson shows off her amazing leaping ability in the Sylmar Invitation last week. The Lady Rangers finished second in a tune up before starting their 2019 playoff run.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The CIF Southern Section playoffs are underway for two local high schools. Both Nordhoff and Thacher faced opening round opponents Oct. 24. For the Lady Rangers (26-2, 10-0), they hosted Mark Keppel High School in Division 6 action, while the Toads made the short trip to Carpinteria for their first-round contest. Thacher, which went 8-6 overall and 6-4 in Frontier League action, is playing in the Division 8 tournament this fall.
Event Announcement
The 2019 Ojai Hospital 5K/10K and dog walk will take place Oct. 26 at 8 a.m. Anyone interested in taking part in this year’s event can register the morning of the race in front of the Ojai Valley Community Hospital, which is where the race will start and finish. Runners and walkers of all abilities are encouraged to take part in the event.
Rangers perfect in league, now focused on CIF title
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff junior Sasha Frazier smashes a ball past an overmatched Santa Paula defense.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Nordhoff High School girls’ volleyball team has been a dominant force this fall. The Rangers finished their regular season Oct. 15 with a home match against the Santa Paula Cardinals and won 3-0 (25-8, 25-9 and 25-4). With the win in its season finale, Nordhoff is 19-1 overall and a perfect 10-0 in Citrus Coast League action.
NHS junior varsity volleyball team building for the future
Photo by Tom Moore
Nordhoff High School sophomore Jennifer Donahue sets up a shot to be hit past the Fillmore High School front line. The junior varsity volleyball squad has had a successful season, ensuring the NHS program will continue to be successful for the next several seasons.
Rotary honors Sunset School star
Photo submitted
Oscar Reynoso (center) was recently selected as the Rotary Club of Ojai’s Physical Education Project Student of the Month. Reynoso was joined by his family and faculty from Sunset School at the ceremony.
Oscar Reynoso, an eighth-grader at Sunset School in Oak View, received a $300 check and recognition for his accomplishments at the Oct. 4 Rotary Club of Ojai meeting. His classroom teacher, Cristal Paniagua, made the following statement as to why he was chosen:
Rangers football falls to Simi Valley Pioneers
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Junior wide receiver Kaden Monson goes low to catch a pass from fellow junior Leeram Stoneman against the Simi Valley Pioneers. Monson caught a game-high seven passes for 54 yards.
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
Flying high after a pair of important Citrus Coast League wins over Santa Paula and Fillmore, the Nordhoff High School football team came crashing back to earth Friday at Ojai Valley Community Stadium, where Canyon League leader Simi Valley trounced them in a non-league game 59-14.
Rangers have mixed feelings over off week
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
This week the Nordhoff High School football program won’t get to play under the Friday night lights. The Oct. 18 date was allocated for NHS to take on the Santa Clara Saints, but due to low numbers this season the Saints were forced to drop down to eight-man football. Santa Clara’s move came over the summer and did not afford Nordhoff enough time to find a replacement opponent; so NHS found itself with an additional off week.
Villanova Prep football facing tough three-game stretch
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
The Villanova Prep defense swallows up a Dymally High School ball carrier during a 49-13 victory earlier this season. The Wildcats will kick off their Mt. Pinos League schedule Oct. 19 on the road against the Cate Rams.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Villanova Preparatory School football program is currently 4-1 on the season, an impressive accomplishment given the inexperience of their 2019 roster. This season the Wildcats have three seniors, three juniors and the rest of the team is made up of freshmen and sophomores, many who are new to the game of football.
Nordhoff takes down unbeaten Fillmore, 35-6
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff junior Noah Koester (right) gets into space thanks to a key block by teammate Eli Dvortcsak in the Rangers’ big league win over the Fillmore Flashes on Oct. 4. Koester and Dvortcsak combined for 99 rushing yards in the 35-6 victory.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Nordhoff High School football team scored a huge victory over the previously unbeaten Fillmore Flashes 35-6 in a key Citrus Coast League contest. Fillmore came to Ojai Oct. 4 with a 6-0 record and they were the top ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division 13 polls.
Former NHS star earns national recognition
Photo courtesy of University of Massachusetts Athletics
Former Nordhoff High School football star and current University of Massachusetts senior Cooper Garcia recently earn the Lou Groza Award Star of the Week, which recognizes the best college placekicker of the week. Garcia helped UMass to a 37-29 win over Akron University by kicking field goals of 30, 34 and 38 yards.
NHS volleyball clinches league title
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
Expectations were high going into the season for the Nordhoff High School girls’ volleyball team and they continue to live up to the hype. The Rangers faced Carpinteria Oct. 8 in a Citrus Coast League battle and NHS cruised to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-18 and 25-12) victory. With the win, Nordhoff improved to 17-1 overall and 8-0 in league play. The win also clinched the league title for the Rangers, who have their sights set on a CIF Southern Section title this fall.
Rangers continue to torch local courses
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff sophomore Ella Giuliani perfects her craft on the Soule Park Golf Course driving range earlier this fall.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
Nordhoff’s girls golf team recently improved to 11-1 on the season and they are 4-0 in Citrus Coast League matches. “We currently are in first place in the Citrus Coast League with three rounds remaining. One of the strengths of our team is our balance among our top six players. All six of our players are among the top eight in the league individual standings,” said head coach Dick Sebek.
NHS football earns big road win in Santa Paula
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff offensive lineman Michael Trejo lives every lineman’s dream as he carries the ball for a big first down on a fake punt against the Santa Paula Cardinals. The Rangers went on to score a huge victory over the talented Cardinals to improve to 4-2 on the season.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Nordhoff High School football team scored a huge 36-19 victory over rival Santa Paula to take control of the Citrus Coast League standings. With the win the Rangers improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in league play.
Undefeated Fillmore coming to town Friday night
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
This week’s Citrus Coast League opponent for the Nordhoff Rangers will be the undefeated Fillmore Flashes Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.. Fillmore will come to Ojai 6-0, 1-0 and they are the top-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division 13 polls. Their offense will run through quarterback Jared Schieferle (1,223 yards and 17 touchdowns) and running back Bryce Nunez (603 yards and 15 touchdowns).